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Nikon D7000 vs. Canon 60D

The end of 2010 is an exciting time with all these manufacturers introducing new cameras. There's a whirlwind of features Nikon is throwing down in their new Nikon D7000 DSLR. The new Nikon D3100 Digital SLR was also announced which should make some Nikon shooters happy stepping things up to 1080p video. The Nikon D3100, we say, is paired up against the T2i market. This new Nikon D7000 is the more advanced model that will be competing against Canon 60D shoppers. It's about $100 dollars over the Canon 60D, but here's some of the new Nikon D7000 features. Coming in at 16 megapixels, the D7000 can shoot 1080p or 720p. Nothing special there. Options for 24frames per second and 30fps video. That's pretty standard these days.

If you care, this Nikon D7000 has Full time Auto focus in video mode and 39 point AF system. Like more expensive Nikons this one is rockin' dual SDHC/SDXC card slots, 6fps shooting up to 100 images, a new longer lasting battery, and a Magnesium alloy body. Whoa. There's quite a bit of features that the 60D lacks. The 60D can shoot almost as fast and doesn't have a magnesium alloy body. (60D had a slight upgrade adding some weather proofing though).

The Nikon D7000 doesn't appear to move into Variable Angle LCD (swivel) territory. The Canon 60D also has 60fps frame rates which I hear is hard to live without these days, and Nikon doesn't seem to have this option. No full time auto focus on the 60D like the D7000 has, but most of us wouldn't use it. Canon doesn't go with Dual card slots, but does come in 2 megapixels more in resolution. The Canon 60D also carries the new infrared trigger to fire flashes remotely, which I don't see an option for in the D7000. The Canon 60D might be better in low light from the ISO specs, but we'll just have to wait and see. It's a tough call with pros and cons for each one, but keep in mind that DSLR bodies always change, and your real investment is going to be in your lenses and other accessories. Sooner or later you'll have to make your DSLR bed and lay in it....lay in it for quite a while..

If anybody cares about why I shoot Canon, here's my story. Decades ago (it wasn't really that long) I shot with Canon, Nikon, Fuji (which was a nikon body and Fuji chip), Olympus, and Kodak DSLR's. Canon, year after year, and to this day (my opinion) has been the 'leader' in DSLR technology. There's controversy about this, and you might say they don't make the best glass, or produce the best images, but they've always had the best balance in latest features, pricing, and quality. I can always change bodies, but it's hard to change everything else. It's why I stuck with Canon a long time ago. Today it seems like a whole new ballgame with the switch to video and kinda feels like what it did over 10 years ago. It's a new market of shooters, and who's going to end up the leader? So for the newbies who aren't quite invested, looks like you've GOt some CAreful thiNking to dONow. (Nikon D7000 Pricing

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34 thoughts on “Nikon D7000 vs. Canon 60D”

I understand this page is 2 years old now, but I'd still like to offer my experiences for those who are considering this class of camera. First off, the "pro-sumer" (aka crop-sensor) line of DSLRs from both Canon and Nikon include excellent quality cameras offerings. I'd say even the t2i in 2012 is an excellent camera.

If you're like me, you have taken the advice of wise photographers and invested in lenses, and not bodies. Now, in 2012, the savy DSLR shopper will be looking at D7000, 7D, and 60D (assuming you're not interested in the Rebel line or D3100/D5100) "entry-level" models.

Having shot both Nikons and Canons extensively, I would say the D7000 out performs any current Canon crop-sensor body in terms of image quality and AF. But the strange thing is, even after seeing the results and shooting with a D7000, I still prefer shooting with the 60D.

I don't know what it is, but a Canon just feels more "familiar" in my hands. Their menus and button layouts just seem more logical, to me anyway. I admit that my preference is 100% subjective, but ultimately I think shopping for a DSLR body is a subjective process.

My best friend shoots a D7000, and although he also likes many of my 60D's ergonomics, he prefers the D7000. And honestly, we both can capture images of equal quality, thanks largely to having a good selection of lenses available.

Now is the time to buy a D7000, 60D, or 7d, that the prices are coming down. You dont need the latest buzz feature in order to take great images. Both Canon and Nikon make great cameras, and will continue to go back and forth in terms of who out-specs who any given year. Go to your local camera shop, handle them both, and choose whatever just seems right. Invest in lenses, not bodies. Hope this helps

Actually im also thinking of taking either one of these dslr....ive been searching for weeks about their pro an cons.....but then i realize something....what is your sole purpose and what is your need in having these two good dslr....opinions always come vary.....so it is all up to you....hehheh....and for me i finally make up my mind on which camera i should take....its a simple reason, but i think its a good reason for me....

I agree with many of the positive statements here about both cameras. At the end of the day it's really about maximizing your skills with whatever equipment you have. I have made amazing videos with a flip. In all honesty of value I believe that D7000 is in between the 60D and 7D for what it's worth and that is why the price point is where it is.

The D7000 does not fit my hand as well as the Canon 60D. The Nikon shutter is too much of a hair trigger for me, and I like the way that almost every button and control on the 60D can be accessed by my right hand while its holding the grip. The Nikon buttons are all over the place, and the buttons for the Nikon top led screen are not even remotely close to the screen itself. Ergonomically, for me, the Canon is a much better thought out design and more comfortable and faster to use.

BTW, the Nikon D7000 only has magnesium on the top plate and the back. The rest is plastic, probably polycarbonate like the canons. I can only think the magnesium plates have been added as a marketing strategy. Its been suggested that its only $100 more than the Canon, but the prices I've seem are closer to $300 more for the body.

Finally, the burst rate of 6 fps is only reachable for a few seconds or so because of buffer overload. The Camera Lab reviewer has identified this issue although I personally have not tried it. The Canon does not have that problem.

And of course there is the continued silliness about the polycarbonite Canon bodies which are easily as strong and durable as magnesium and are less likely to scratch or dent.

This is not to denigrate the D7000 in any way. It is obviously a great camera, but comparing it to the much less expensive 60D is not fair and some of the "negatives" of the 60D was overstated. Each is a great camera at its price point.

I need help! I've been wanting a DSLR for so long and I cant decide on which one to get, D7000 or 60D.....is one significantly better than the other? I'm kind of leading towards the Nikon D7000 but I like the canons price a lot better......any suggestions?

@Sealy, a lot of people are doing amazing things with DSLRs and videos these days. I have Nikon gear and love it, but am getting into video and am debating about upgrading to D7000 or 60D. Would need an adapter, but if the video will be better on the Canon....

seems all the reviews praise the D7000 as the best camera for low light, clearly edging out the canon after ISO6400. not a surprise given nikon has been leading the dslr world ever since the introduction of the D3 back in 2007 and the D3X in 2008. With it's full frame lineup wining out in both highspeed (D3s), low light photography and resolution (D3X) nikon positions itself to win the mid level dslr with the D700. The onre remaining slot which canon has a nice advantage is the 7D, but the D400 may end up being what the D7000 is to the 60D.

@Tomas - Please quote me in this article where I 'praise' Canon 60D Video? I have not used a D7000, but it appears as if they just have the camera's 'built in sharpening' turned on much higher than the Canon. This 'sharper video' does not appear to be from the chip or the lens. Looks like a ton of 'post' video sharpening from the camera setting. Turn up the sharpness filter in the the Canon 60D picture style, you'll get the same effect. In any case, I don't think you really understood the article at all. There's no 'praise' over 'video' quality. Please read the article more carefully before talking here: http://cheesycam.com/nikon-d7000-vs-canon-60d/?preview=true&preview_id=3778&preview_nonce=fe35b7beda

Of course, I will stand behind my statement that Canon leads in DSLR Video technology far better than Nikon.

You are praising Canon's 60d video, when at the same time I'm watching vimeo video made with canon 60d + nikon d7000, and the author clearly says that he hated 60d because it is far away from d7000 sharpness, which is on par with 7d. There is also a youtube video comparing d7000 vs 60d, and you can clearly see that d7000 video is much sharper. The only thing d7000 lacks is 60 frame mode. And in reply to smaller bitrate - nikon uses different codec, that is why it's smaller. Check live examples before talking here:http://vimeo.com/15196497 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVpGpHSpcIg

I think as a still camera the D7000 may have an edge, and I think IT will have the edge in low light not the 60. However, video is another story. If you would like to see the Nikon catch up to the Canons, please support this petition:

Nikon or Canon. Gear is gear, talent and work is what gives any tool it's value. Use what you have, and master it. Since I've been caught up in the endless DSLR upgrading, I've had 5 cameras and fewer good pictures than the 10 years I used my old Ae1 ignoring the latest inovations.

again..the battle for enthusiast or mid range has begun...Nikon and Canon, both are the best. if you need to more control over photograph and weather sealed,Nikon is better, but for make a movie, Canon outstanding. Now you should know what you need.

I'm relieved to read this. I reluctantly took the plunge and pre-ordered the 60D with a 18-135mm lens for $1350CDN. Pretty smoking deal. Bundled with garbage tripod and card, but I can get rid of those for a few extra $$. I purchase mostly to see if I can't use it for a DIY 1080p 16mm transfer as I still shoot film. HD Transfers right now are costing me a fortune, so if I can do some lofi ones at home it'd allow me some experimentation. But ultimately I know it'll mean I end up shooting more digital = less film. Regrettably.

But I've been worried with some of these reviews online saying the 60D is such a disappointment, so inferior to the 7D, nothing more than a T2i rebranded, etc. Now this new Nikon. Geez. Anyways, I was relieved to read your common sense report on the matter. Common sense, something I've already come to expect from cheesycam.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Nikon D7000 is an all-out 60D killer. The only useful thing the 60D has over it is 60fps. Everything else it's far behind on, besides a two megapixel increase, which is pretty much arbitrary.

i've been waiting on the d7000 announcment before i decided weather i would stay with nikon or go to canon 60d...but I can't find comfirmation on the manual video control and I just don't know if I want to try to live without 60p frame rates....so i may just break down and get a 60d and a nikon lens adapter....

All Nikon DSLRs with a pop-up flash can act as a remote trigger for Nikon flashes. They didn't make a big deal out of it in the press release because it's the status quo, unlike Canon who is finally catching up.